Eden United Church of Christ Order for Worship Reign of Christ Sunday November 26, :00 a.m.

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1 Eden United Church of Christ Order for Worship Reign of Christ Sunday November 26, :00 a.m. WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Eden United Church of Christ is an Open and Affirming congregation. We believe that all people are children of God; that persons of all ages, races and sexual orientations are part of our increasingly diverse culture. We welcome all persons into the full life and ministry of this church. Children s bulletins are available upon request from the ushers. Thank you for muting your cell phone, pager, and PDA during worship. Thank you for bringing no food or beverages in the Sanctuary other than sacramental elements and bottled water. PRELUDE Variations for Thanksgiving C. Curtis THE LIGHT ENTERS WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (Nursery care is available at any time during worship.) GREETING & ANNOUNCEMENTS The Rev. Pepper Swanson (Thank you for your gift of presence and for completing a blue worship card today) INTROIT Rejoice, You Pure in Heart (v. 5) NCH 71 Praise God who rules all worlds, the ris-em Christ a-dore, Praise God the Spir-it, Ho-ly Fire, one God for ev-er-more! Ho-san-na! Ho-san-na! Re-joice, give thanks and sing. * CALL TO WORSHIP (All who are able may stand) Michael Stuber L: We are looking for a King. R: We are searching for a Savior, a wise and loving Guide. L: Have you combed the city streets, walking late at night? R: Have you checked beside the beds of the very ill and dying? L: Have you gone among the children, playing with their paints? R: Have you scoured all the food banks, shelters, and the doorwells? L: This is where you ll find Him: with the hungry, with the lonely and the cold, with those in need of love. R: The servant King of a servant people, finding faith to follow God. * HYMN Won't You Let Me Be Your Servant? NCH 539

2 * INVOCATION (in unison) Michael Holy God, we give you thanks for the authenticity and bravery of Christ in his time and for his enduring call to us to honor your Holy Truth and to be true to the values you have given us. In this season of celebration, let your light shine through our words and our actions. Amen. * PASSING OF THE PEACE Michael L: The peace of God be with you all. R: And also with you. L: Let us greet our neighbors with a sign of peace. MUSICAL INTERLUDE L: Our service will continue with the ministry of music. ANTHEM Rejoice! Give Thanks and Sing! arr. A.L. Page CHILDREN S GATHERING Pastor Pepper CHILDREN S BLESSING Go, My Children, with My Blessing (v. 2) NCH 82 Go, my chil-dren, fed and nour-ished, clos-er to me; Grow in love and love by serv-ing, joy-ful and free. Here my Spi-rit s pow-er filled you, here with ten-der com-fort stilled you; Go, my chil-dren, fed and nour-ished, joy-ful and free. (Children will remain in worship today. Nursery care is available at any time during worship. Please see an usher for an escort to the nursery.) SCRIPTURE READING John 18:33-37 Michael (Today s scripture lesson can be found on page 881 in the pew Bibles) SERMON The King of Authenticity The Rev. Pepper Swanson * HYMN You Are the Way NCH 40 PRAYERS OF THE COMMUNITY Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer Pastor Pepper

3 Jesus Prayer (in unison) Our God, in whom is heaven, blessed be your name. Your presence come, your will be done, both here and everywhere. May your realm of peace and freedom sustain our hopes and come on earth. May we be fed today with the bread that we need, and may forgiveness be ours in the same measure we give. In times of temptation, strengthen us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen. Prayer Response Hear Our Prayer, O God. NCH 769 Hear our prayer, O God, hear our prayer, O God; in-cline your ear to us, and grant us your peace. OFFERING & DEDICATION OF OUR GIFTS Invitation Michael Offertory Jesus, Name Above All Names N. Hearn * Response Give Thanks for Life (v. 4) NCH 297 Give thanks for hope, that like the wheat, the grain that lies in dark-ness does its life re-tain In res-ur-rec-tion to grow green a-gain, Al-le-lu-ia, Al-le-lu-ia! * Prayer of Dedication Michael * HYMN Jesus Shall Reign NCH 300 * BENEDICTION Pastor Pepper * RESPONSE May the Sending One Defend You (v. 3) NCH 79 May the Bind-ing One u-nite you may the One Be-loved in-vite you May the Lov-ing One de-light you Three-in-One, joy in life un-end-ing. * CHIMES AND THE LIGHT DEPARTS WITH THE PEOPLE * POSTLUDE Give Thanks/Now Thank We All Our God H. Smith/J. Krüger Today s Worship Leaders The Rev. Dr. Arlene K. Nehring, Senior Minister The Rev. Pepper Swanson, Associate Minister Dr. Jessie Wenchieh Lo, Organist & Music Director Michael Stuber, Liturgist

4 Cindy Keune & Julie Booher, Greeters Cindy Keune, Pat Payne, Julie Booher & TBD, Ushers Kemy Gekara & Yoselin Penado, Nursery Workers Alliene Turner & Daniella Prym, Counters Julie Booher, Fellowship Captain Marv Beck, Fellowship Host Linda Joost & Sally Kusalo, Fellowship Helpers Daniella Prym, Trustee on Duty Jose Menjivar, Sunday Sexton Flowers The flowers were given by Kent and Rozetta Walth in honor of Isabel Walth s birthday.. WELCOME Welcome to Eden United Church of Christ! If you are searching for a spiritual home, please consider becoming part of our congregation. Eden welcomes members who seek a deeper relationship with God in a caring community and who strive to make a difference in the lives of others. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism and the Rite of Church Membership four to five times yearly during morning worship. Please see one of our pastors or an usher, deacon, or member of the E-Team if you seek baptism for yourself or your child, or if you would like to be received into church membership. We will celebrate infant and adult baptism and receive new members several times each year. UPCOMING EVENTS Advent Decorating & Nacimiento Creation: It s hard to believe, but the Advent season is just around the corner, and it s almost time for evergreen wreaths and garlands, trumpeting angels, twinkling lights, and lots of shepherds, magi, and little holy families. Please join the Deacons, Trustees and our Cherryland friends and neighbors on Saturday, Dec 2, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, for a fun time adorning the church for the Advent season, kids crafts for the holidays, and creating our annual Nacimiento. Many hands make light work! Coffee, cocoa, and coffee cake at 9:30 am in Oliver Hall. Lunch will be provided as well. To volunteer, please sign up on the clipboard in the Office. Questions? Contact Pastor Pepper. Youth Group Service Project: Sign up today to participate in the Youth Group service project at the Alameda County Food Bank on Dec 2, 12:30 to 5 pm. To sign up, contact Pastor Pepper. Mt. Eden High School Winter Concert: Come enjoy a special performance by one of our nation s elite high school vocal groups at 7:30 pm on Thursday, Dec 7. The Mt. Eden Choir, conducted by Nicholas Prior, will perform in the Eden Church Sanctuary. Taste & See: New to Eden? Visitors and newcomers are invited to join our pastor and welcoming team for a reception in the Norberg Room, Dec 10, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Grab coffee & a snack from Fellowship in Oliver Hall, meet up in the Norberg Room (east wing). Tell us a little about yourself and your spiritual journey. Ask questions. Learn more about enriching experiences offered at Eden such as Bible study, volunteer opportunities, and church school. Children are welcome! Las Posadas, a Latin America Christmas Tradition: On Sunday, Dec 10, Starr King Unitarian Universalist Church is inviting friends and neighbors to join them for Las Posadas, a traditional recreation of Mary & Joseph's perilous journey fleeing persecution and seeking shelter. The candlelight procession begins at 5 pm and returns to Starr King at 6:30 pm for a celebration and feast. Free! Piñata and games for children of all ages. For more information, contact Rev. Maria Cristia at rev.vlassidis@gmail.com.

5 Christmas Pageant and Happy Birthday, Jesus Party: On Sunday, Dec 17, there will be a Christmas pageant. Rehearsals, set design, and prop creation for the pageant will be during Church School on Sunday, Dec 3 and Dec 10. Children in grades K-12 are encouraged to participate in this year s one-act play. Many parts for all reading levels available. Following the pageant, we will also have our annual Happy Birthday, Jesus Party. Join us for a slice of our traditional birthday cake following the children s Christmas pageant. Tres Reyes Gift Collection: Three Kings are Coming! Three Kings/Tres Reyes Magos will happen Sunday, Jan 7 at Eden Church. To celebrate, gifts will be given to all children ages 0-12 by the Three Kings. Gifts for Tres Reyes Fiesta are being collected on Sunday, Dec 17 as part of Eden's "Happy Birthday, Jesus" celebration. To donate a new toy, sports equipment, or $20 Target or Walmart gift cards, bring your donation to Eden Church on Sunday, Dec 17 or drop off your purchase in the Church Office during office hours. To make a financial contribution, please go to and search for Tres Reyes Gifts for Cherryland. For more information, contact Andrea Orea. Do you love Advent and Christmas music? If so, then you are uniquely qualified to join the Christmas edition of the Eden Church Choir! Everyone is invited to join the Choir for any or all of our Advent and Christmas worship services on Sundays in December at 10 am and on Christmas Eve at 7 pm. The Eden Church Choir will rehearse at 9 am and 11:30 am every Sunday. Drop-ins welcome! Christmas Eve/Noche Buena, Dec 24: Eden s Candlelight Christmas Eve/Noche Buena Worship will begin at 7 pm in the Sanctuary, featuring lessons, carols, and special music by Drs. Jessie Wenchieh Lo and Jessie Acker-Johnson and other Eden vocalists and instrumentalists. Volunteers are needed to greet visitors and returning members, serve as ushers, hand out and collect Silent Night candles. To volunteer to be usher or greeter, please see Pastor Pepper. Cookies and cookie bakers and volunteers are also needed to help with the setup and cleanup of our Christmas Eve reception. If interested, please contact Pat Payne, Fellowship Coordinator. YOUTH GROUP Our 7-12 th grade Youth Group has a busy schedule this December. Save these dates and plan to join us for all of these activities. For more information, contact Pastor Pepper. Nov 29 Meet & Greet a Candidate for DTAM, 5 pm, Oliver Hall Dec 2 Youth Service Project at Food Bank, 12:30 pm Dec 10 Las Posadas at Starr King Unitarian Universalist Church in Hayward, 5 pm Jan 7 Tres Reyes at Eden Church, 10 am SMALL GROUPS New Free Yoga Class: Namaste! Free bi-lingual (English-Spanish) yoga classes are offered at Eden Church each week. Class is from 6 to 7 pm on Tuesday nights in Room 201 (across from the Jensen Room). Please use the West Wing (FESCO) entrance. For more information, contact Tania Martinez. Seekers Book Club: Seekers are reading Two Dogs and a Parrot by Joan Chittister. Seekers meet Wednesdays at 10 am in the Community Room. Newcomers are always welcome. Bible Study: Bible Study will conclude on Dec 4 & 18. For info, contact Dianne Dorn or Keith Smith. Single Women s Group: Single women meet for fellowship and lunch on the first Friday of every month. The next meeting is Friday, Dec 1. For information, contact Daniella Prym. ONGOING PROGRAMS & ANNOUNCEMENTS Cherryland Computer Café Fall Hours: Need a computer for schoolwork, apartment hunting, or online bill pay? Need to prepare a resume, conduct a job search, or apply for a job online? All ages welcome and mentors available. The Café will be open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4-7 pm, and Comida Wednesdays from 1:30 to 4 pm. Hours are subject to change; please call the Church Office at (510) to confirm availability.

6 This Week At-A-Glance Sunday, November 26 9:00 9:45 am Music Rehearsal Sanctuary 10:00 11:15 am Worship Sanctuary 11:15 12:30 pm Fellowship Oliver Hall 11:30 12:30 pm Music Rehearsal Sanctuary 11:30 12:30 pm Sunday Counters Library Monday, November 27 4:00 7:00 pm Cherryland Computer Café Norberg Room Tuesday, November 28 10:00 12:00 pm Eden Stitchers Jensen Room 4:00 7:00 pm Cherryland Computer Café Norberg Room 6:00 7:00 pm Free Yoga Room 121 Wednesday, November 29 10:00 11:30 am Seekers Community Room 11:00 12:30 pm Caring Circle Fireside Room 5:00 7:00 pm DTAM Meet & Greet OH & OHK Friday, December 1 11:45 2:00 pm Single Women Group Offsite Saturday, December 2 9:30 12:30 pm Advent Decorating & Nacimiento Creation First Floor 12:30 5:00 pm Youth Group Service Project Offsite Sunday, December 3 9:00 9:45 am Music Rehearsal Sanctuary 10:00 11:15 am Worship Sanctuary 11:15 12:30 pm Fellowship Oliver Hall 11:30 12:30 pm Music Rehearsal Sanctuary 11:30 12:30 pm DTAM Committee Norberg Room 11:30 12:30 pm Sunday Counters Library Nov 28 Nov 29 Dec 02 Dec 03 Dec 04 Dec 05 Dec 05 Dec 07 Dec 10 Dec 10 Dec 12 Coming Attractions Mark Your Calendars! New or amended items are in bold & italics Free Yoga Dec 13 Comida para Cherryland DTAM Search Committee Dec 17 Third Sunday in Advent: Pageant & Advent Decorating Day/Youth Service Happy Birthday Jesus Party First Sunday in Advent & DTAM Com. Dec 18 Bible Study Bible Study Dec 19 Free Yoga Church Council Meeting Dec 24 Fourth Sunday in Advent Free Yoga Dec 24 Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship Mt. Eden High School Concert Dec 25 Christmas Day (Campus Closed) Second Sunday in Advent & Dec 26 Christmas Holiday (Campus Closed) Taste & See E-vent Dec 27 Comida para Cherryland Las Posadas at Starr-King UU Jan 07 Tres Reyes Celebration Free Yoga

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